Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Now in paperback!

From the best-selling author of the Jumbies series comes an Afro-Caribbean-inspired story about three cousins who discover they are mokos--protector spirits--during carnival season in Brooklyn

Weirdness and wonders abound in this colorful celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture by the author of the beloved Jumbies series.

Twelve-year-old Misty and her mother have just moved from Trinidad to Brooklyn, New York, in time for the annual carnival celebrations over Labor Day weekend. Misty has plenty to deal with getting used to living with her cousins Aiden and Brooke in her new surroundings. On top of that, her mom is too busy trying to find a job and her aunts and uncles are too preoccupied with carnival preparations to pay any attention to her. 

Then really strange things begin to happen. A ball of feathers in the basement turns into a creature that squeaks and rolls around. When Misty and her cousins eat pieces of mango anchar, flames shoot out of their mouths. Most disturbing of all, Misty begins to see visions of the future--scary visions that soon come true.

Misty discovers that she and her cousins come from a long line of mokos, people who have special powers meant to help them protect their community. Misty can see impending danger, Aiden can heal, and Brooke has crazy physical strength. The trio is just learning about their skills when Misty senses something watching her. And then each of the carnival events is disrupted by a different disaster. Some kind of evil force is clearly trying to stop the festivities. But why? And will moko magic be enough to save the day?

Story Locale:Brooklyn, NY during the West Indian Day Parade in Crown Heights

Series Overview: Freedom Fire is a children’s imprint of Disney Books devoted to publishing titles that celebrate beauty and resilience within Black storytelling and embrace Blackness in all forms. 

Led by best-selling and award-winning author Kwame Mbalia, Freedom Fire aims to help young readers discover joy-filled books that highlight the rich voices and experiences of Black people across the African diaspora.

About the Author

Tracey Baptiste (she/her) was born in Trinidad and lived there for fifteen years before moving to Brooklyn, New York. She is the New York Times best-selling author of Minecraft: The Crash, as well as the creepy Caribbean-inspired series the Jumbies, which includes The Jumbies, Rise of the Jumbies, and The Jumbie God's Revenge. Tracey has also written the contemporary YA novel Angel's Grace and many nonfiction books, including African Icons, which was named a Best Book of 2021 by the New York Public Library, Kirkus, and School Library Journal. Tracey, a former elementary school teacher, is on the faculty at Lesley University's Creative Writing MFA program. She lives in New Jersey. Visit her online at TraceyBaptiste.com and Instagram @TraceyBaptisteWrites.

Author Residence: Englewood, New Jersey